Related

As a licensed electrician, Matt Murchison thought he had a jump on everyone when he showed up at 6 a.m. to apply for a skilled trade position at the Ford Oakville assembly plant 15 years ago.

"Turns out I was 80th in line," he says. "By the time it was my turn, the (electrician) positions had been filled. So they offered me job on line production and suggested I try to find a way into a skilled trade role from there."

Ten years later, an apprenticeship opened up for a steam fitter and Murchison was keen to enter the five-year program. "There were a lot more like me working in production on a long waiting list. The opportunity came up and now here I am with another trade ticket."

What he loved about the apprenticeship training was the chance to work with different tradespeople. "At one point they sent 15 apprentices, which included millwrights, toolmakers and electricians, down to Dearborn for a three-week training trip. It was fantastic."

A former commercial and residential electrician, Murchison admits that an automotive plant offers some definite pluses. "It's a pretty good environment to be in. You know where you're going to be every day rather than travelling from one end of the city to another. And you're always under a roof which is a real benefit."

Skilled trades typically account for 10 to 12 per cent of the total workforce in an assembly plant, says Colin Heslop, director of skilled trades for CAW (Canadian Auto Worker) in Toronto. Electricians and mechanical millwrights represent the largest portion, with tool and die makers, plumbers, motor mechanics, sheet metal workers, carpenters and welders making up the balance.

To be a skilled tradesperson in a CAW plant, a journeyperson must have served a recognized apprenticeship or can document and prove they have at least eight years of experience in that trade, Heslop says.

Since 1993, CAW has bargained over 800 apprenticeship opportunities in these trades. However, the economic slowdown has put apprenticeship opportunities on hold for the most part, Heslop says. "Over the next two to three years we hope market volumes will continue to increase. But you won't see the extent of hiring we saw in the 1970s, '80s and '90s."

Skilled trade apprenticeships in automotive plants are definitely coveted, confirms John Mavrak, executive director and CEO of the Council for Automotive Human Resources (CAHR) in Toronto. "That's true in any advanced manufacturing sector, though. It's very highly skilled work."

Although employment opportunities are few in these leaner times, there continue to be opportunities with parts companies and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), he adds. "There may be limited opportunities currently but that will change as we get further out of the economic situation."

Anyone starting out with an eye on an automotive production facility can do some things to better their chances when the time is right, Mavrak says. "If you're contemplating an apprenticeship, make sure you get the best possible combination of maths and sciences while you're in school. Then go out and find opportunities - perhaps in another advanced manufacturing sector, mining or even power generation - where you can build your skills while you're waiting for something to open up. What you learn is completely transferable."

A qualified person with a full apprenticeship can easily transfer their skills to any sector, Heslop says. "In a modern assembly plant there are robotics, electronics and other state of the art technologies that trades must be able to install, build, maintain and report. It's very interesting and also very rewarding. From an industry standpoint, you need education and training that ensure your skills are broad-based and transferable. That's so important."

Also remember that automotive is also a truly global industry, Mavrak says. "I've known skilled tradespersons who have worked in Mexico and China. There are exciting opportunities for people inclined to work in the industry."

While Murchison has no plans to go abroad to apply his skills, he says his training at the plant has done him a huge favour when it comes time to retire. "I can head north, put up a sign and start doing electrical and plumbing work for cottagers."

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.